Gilbert Stuart Wall Decorations
American, 1755-1828
Likely America's best-known portrait painter, Gilbert Stuart is difficult to track biographically because so many parts of his life have been embellished or cloaked by his biographers who have romanticized the life of this man so associated with the portraits of George Washington. And he also told untrue, embellished stories about himself. Stuart was, in fact, a temperamental, hard-living man who lived way beyond his means, which left him and his family in impoverished circumstances.
He was the son of a snuff-mill owner in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. Of Scottish descent, he had the baptismal name of Gilbert Stewart but changed it to the Jacobite spelling, wanting to be associated in name with the royal Stuart family of England.
When the mill failed, the Stewart family moved to Newport, Rhode Island where the young Gilbert took early training from local portraitist Samuel King. In 1769, his early talent for drawing was recognized by Cosmo Alexander, with whom he traveled in the Southern Colonies and then to Edinburgh, Scotland. But Alexander died, and the penniless Stuart had to work his way back to America as a seaman. He completed several portraits of Newport persons including Frances Malbone.
In 1775, on the eve of the Battle of Bunker Hill, he again sailed, this time to London where he worked as a church organist because American colonial artists were not then well received in England. From 1777, he spent five years studying art with expatriate court painter, Benjamin West who taught Stuart many of the skills he acquired in portrait painting, especially the painting of realistic, animated faces--glowing light against dark background-- for which he became noted. It was a revival of the style of Rembrandt.
However, it was a full-length portrait of a Scotsman, William Grant, as a skater that made Stuart's reputation in England when the painting was exhibited in 1782 at the Royal Academy. Later it was mistakenly attributed to Sir Henry Raeburn.
After this success, Stuart had many commissions and was perceived to be in the same league as Sir Joshua Reynolds and Thomas Gainsborough. But he became overwhelmed by debts, and in 1787, went to Dublin, Ireland, where he continued his habit of collecting and quickly spending his portrait fees before completing the work.
In 1792, he returned to America and became the most highly regarded portraitist of his day with nearly everyone in prominence in the government becoming one of his subjects. Always low on money and known for erratic behavior, which some attributed to his genius, he remained ever pursued by his creditors. He is buried in Boston in an unmarked paupers grave.to
1
1
Height
to
Width
to
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
435
301
294
270
Creator: Gilbert Stuart
Original Gilbert Stuart Oil Painting Portrait of Henrietta Hillegas, ca. 1796
By Gilbert Stuart
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Original Gilbert Stuart oil painting portrait of Henrietta Hillegas (Mrs. Joseph Anthony), ca. 1796
Exquisite portrait by the American painter Gilber...
Category
Late 18th Century American American Classical Antique Gilbert Stuart Wall Decorations
Materials
Canvas
Related Items
Romantic Portrait Of Welsh Actress Sarah Siddons, Antique Original Oil Painting
Located in Bristol, GB
ANTIQUE ORIGINAL OIL ON CANVAS PAINTING DEPICTING A FEMALE SITTER, 19TH CENTURY
A romantic and skilled depiction of the famous Welsh actress Sarah Siddons (1755-1831). Siddons was t...
Category
19th Century English Romantic Antique Gilbert Stuart Wall Decorations
Materials
Canvas, Paint
$1,066
H 16.15 in W 12.21 in D 0.79 in
19th Century Collie Dog Portrait Oil on Canvas Painting Signed Taylor
Located in Tampa, FL
This classic 19th-century oil painting of a Collie dog features rich colors and textures, set against a serene landscape and sky. The bottom left-hand corner features the artist's si...
Category
Late 19th Century American American Classical Antique Gilbert Stuart Wall Decorations
Materials
Canvas, Wood
$1,090
H 17.5 in W 15.5 in D 2 in
Antique Original Oil on Canvas Painting by Paul E. Harney 1901
Located in San Diego, CA
Antique original oil on canvas painting by Paul E. Harney, circa 1901. This wonderful Harney barnyard scene is in good vintage condition and measures 18.5" x 15.5" x 1.5" overall and...
Category
Early 20th Century American American Classical Gilbert Stuart Wall Decorations
Materials
Canvas, Wood
Large Midcentury Original Impressionism Oil Painting Landscaping by Thomas
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful colors extra large framed oil on canvas painting by Thomas circa 1970s, frame its original shows some wear but looks good.
Category
20th Century North American American Classical Gilbert Stuart Wall Decorations
Materials
Canvas
$1,000 Sale Price
20% Off
H 50.25 in W 61.25 in D 1 in
William Frederick Foster
Portrait of Youth
Oil
By William Frederick Foster
Located in Dallas, TX
William Frederick Foster (1883-1953 American) ''Portrait of Youth'' Oil on Canvas 30''x25'' Image. Signed middle left. Gilt gallery framing 36''x31''. Professionally cleaned and reli...
Category
1890s American American Classical Antique Gilbert Stuart Wall Decorations
Materials
Canvas, Paint
Vintage Regency Original Oil Portrait Oil Paintings of 2 Ladies
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Step into the timeless charm of Regency elegance with this exquisite original oil portrait, depicting two finely dressed ladies engaged in quiet conversation. Rendered with rich eart...
Category
Early 20th Century British Regency Gilbert Stuart Wall Decorations
Materials
Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
Mid-19th Century American School Portrait of a Girl Oil on Canvas Painting
Located in Middleburg, VA
Mid 19th century American School Portrait of a girl oil on canvas painting. Depicts a young girl in a pink dress with blonde hair in front of lattice covered in a flowering vine. Sig...
Category
Mid-19th Century American American Classical Antique Gilbert Stuart Wall Decorations
Materials
Canvas, Paint
$1,600
H 35 in W 31 in D 1.5 in
Vintage Original Oil Portrait Painting on Canvas
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Embrace eclectic charm with our Vintage Boho Original Oil Portrait On Canvas. This one-of-a-kind piece exudes the warmth and character of Americana, capturing the essence of bygone e...
Category
Early 20th Century American Gilbert Stuart Wall Decorations
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Oil painting, Portrait of a woman, England 19th Century
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a striking oil on cardboard painting. It depicts a portrait of a woman with her face turned to the left and her look up as in expecting an answer from a...
Category
19th Century English Neoclassical Antique Gilbert Stuart Wall Decorations
Materials
Paint, Paper
Early 20th Century Portrait Oil Painting by William McGregor Paxton, Framed
By William McGregor Paxton
Located in West Hollywood, CA
William McGregor Paxton (American, 1869-1941) Oil On Canvas, Portrait Of A Lady.Signed W. M. Paxton lower right.
An impressionist style portrait of a middle aged lady wearing a long...
Category
Early 20th Century American American Classical Gilbert Stuart Wall Decorations
Materials
Canvas, Paint
$3,200
H 33 in W 28.25 in D 1.5 in
Oil painting portrait
Located in Paris, FR
Portrait painting
Oil on canvas mounted on wood panel
Dimensions with frame : 55 x 69 x 5 cm
Tears and gaps in the canvas (see photos)
Category
18th Century Antique Gilbert Stuart Wall Decorations
Materials
Paint
Religious Portrait Painting Oil on Canvas of Catholic Nun in Habit Veil and Coif
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Oil on canvas portrait painting of a Catholic nun. This beautiful portrait of a woman is unframed and in wonderful vintage condition. The subject is of a ...
Category
20th Century American American Classical Gilbert Stuart Wall Decorations
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
$1,125 Sale Price
25% Off
H 20 in W 18 in D 0.5 in
Previously Available Items
Antique Chromolithograph of George Washington, Gilbert Stewart Bartholomew C1890
By Gilbert Stuart
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Chromolithograph Portrait of George Washington with plaque reading Gilbert Stewart Bartholomew; giltwood frame; c1890
Measures- 36.5'...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Gilbert Stuart Wall Decorations
Materials
Wood
H 36.5 in W 32 in D 2.5 in
Gilbert Stuart wall decorations for sale on 1stDibs.
Gilbert Stuart wall decorations are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Gilbert Stuart wall decorations, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original wall decorations by Gilbert Stuart were created in the neoclassical style in united states during the 19th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider wall decorations by Norman Rockwell, John James Audubon, and Christopher Willett. Prices for Gilbert Stuart wall decorations can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $950 and can go as high as $37,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $18,975.